Camps
Squadron Camps
Usually organised at a squadron or wing level, weekend camps allow
more intensive training but which can fit into a weekend and, as
such, does not interfere with school holidays. These camps can be
on just about anything including NCO training days, orienteering
exercises or long night exercises. Weekend camps can consist of
multiple exercises for training and applying practical uses to your
training.
Annual Camps
Every year, cadets are given the opportunity to attend
a camp on an operational RAF station. These camps last one week
(normally Saturday to Saturday or Wednesday to Wednesday) with the
primary purpose of letting cadets see what life is like on an RAF
camp. It is also an excellent opportunity to meet new friends and
have a lot of fun.
On arriving at Air Cadet camp, the
cadets will be split into two or more flights.
You will sleep in RAF accommodation
blocks, eat at the airman's mess and visit the various sections
around the station (such as squadrons, the control tower etc.),
as well as take part in sports, orienteering and night exercises,
quizzes, aircraft recognition competitions and any social activities
which may be available.
There will be drill, uniform and
room inspections but these, along with all the other activities,
earn points for you as an individual and for your flight as a whole.
Each cadet at camp will normally
get a flight in one of the Air Experience Flight's Bulldog or Tutor
aircraft and being on an RAF station puts cadets in a perfect position
to get opportunity flights on any other aircraft which may have
a few spare seats.
Cadets over 16 years of age may
receive a Work Experience placement whilst on the camp where they
see first-hand exactly what a job within the Royal Air Force entails.
Each RAF Station has an Air Cadet
Liaison Officer (ACLO) who will help to ensure that the camp runs
smoothly and that as many opportunities are available to cadets
as possible.
Overseas Camps
Once a cadet has attended a UK camp
and has reached the age of 15 they will be able to apply for Overseas
camps.
We currently run overseas camps
at Gibraltar and at Akrotiri in Cyprus, with occasional camps elsewhere.
Overseas camps are typically more
relaxed because of the greater experience amongst the participants.
They concentrate less on drill and inspections and more on the other
aspects of camp, such as gaining valuable work experience with RAF
personnel, visiting local sites of historic and/or military interest.
Cadets will also get the opportunity
to explore towns in the local area, such as Limassol in Cyprus.
An overseas camp is a must for all
cadets, however, places are limited each year so applying for one
is just the first step. You may have to fend off competition from
your own squadron to get the opportunity to go to your Wing HQ for
an interview. Only after this interview will you discover that you
have been chosen to attend overseas camp and be the envy of your
squadron!
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